Meningoencephalitis caused by human herpesvirus-6: a rare case report

Virus are a common cause of aseptic meningitis. In most cases (90%) the etiological agent is enterovirus, followed by arbovirus, HIV, adenovirus, influenza and the viruses of the Herpesviridae family. These include herpes simplex, which causes approximately 0.5% to 3% of aseptic meningitis, with herpes simplex 1 being the most frequent in this group. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), in rare cases, may also be associated with meningitis in combination with exanthema subitum. This report aims to present a rare case of meningoencephalitis caused by HHV-6 in an infant. In the present case, we have a male infant, 1 year and 2 months old, with a previous history of seizure and delayed neuropsychomotor development, referred to a tertiary hospital after a prompt evaluation with complaint of fever, irritability, somnolence and vomit-ing with 7 days of evolution. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid with PCR positive for HHV-6. He was discharged in good general condition after 14 days of correct drug treatment. HHV-6 infection is often underdiagnosed because it has few specific symptoms. The etiologic identification is rec-ommended in children with atypical manifestations or immunodeficiency, allowing adequate treatment in an early manner, in order to avoid complications and mainly neurological sequelae.